7 Superfoods boost Immunity

Did you know that certain foods can actually boost your immunity? They can help your body fight illness, viruses, bacteria, and more! Here are seven superfoods that can help keep you healthy and strong.

1) Garlic

Garlic isn’t just a good way to add flavor to your meals, it’s also a great immunity booster. Garlic contains an anti-inflammatory agent called Garlic, which helps reduce levels of white blood cells while simultaneously boosting levels of another kind of immune cell that attacks and destroys foreign invaders. [1] Garlic is great in all kinds of dishes—just don’t eat too much raw garlic at once! A little goes a long way. (Plus, try our recipe below.)

2) Ginger

Ginger has been proven to help boost immune function, as well as your body’s anti-inflammatory responses. It also appears to have anti-nauseous and anti-vomiting effects, making it helpful if you’re going through any sort of stomach flu or food poisoning. How much ginger is a good dose? Up to 1 gram per day. But remember that fresh ginger root is better than dried (which can be more concentrated in its compounds), and it loses potency quickly once peeled from its skin. Store fresh ginger root in an airtight container in your fridge—it should keep for up to one week.

3) Spinach

Just one cup of cooked spinach is a good source of iron and boosts immunity by protecting cells from oxidative stress. A compound in spinach has also been shown to help clear amyloid-beta, a protein that can cause neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s. Plus, it’s easy to toss into any meal!

4) Citrus fruits

Lemons, limes, and oranges are all great immune-boosting foods. If you’re feeling down or under the weather, try cutting up a citrus fruit and putting it to good use in your cooking. You can also squeeze some fresh juice into a cocktail; often flavored with herbs, like thyme or rosemary, these drinks make for healthy mixes that taste just as good on their own as they do when made into cocktails.

5) Yogurt or curd

Yogurt is a cultured dairy product, and though it is high in calories, its probiotic content may aid digestion. Yogurt also has calcium and vitamin D, which play roles in bone health. Some studies have linked yogurt consumption to reduced body fat, lower cholesterol levels and a decreased risk of heart disease (6). In addition to these benefits, Greek yogurt is higher in protein than other varieties. That makes it an ideal snack when you’re trying to build lean muscle mass or lose weight.

6) Raw honey

Raw honey is a powerhouse of nutrients and enzymes that can boost your immune system. One of these nutrients is called immunity enhancing factor (IEF), which helps strengthen white blood cells that fight off illness. IEF is thought to be responsible for giving raw honey its ability to ward off viruses, bacteria, and other disease-causing germs. Many people say it’s a natural alternative to over-the-counter cold medications!

7) papaya 

Papaya is full of a powerful antioxidant called carotenoids. The most famous of these is beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in your body. Carotenoids are potent anti-inflammatory  that help reduce swelling and tenderness in your throat and tonsils. By reducing inflammation, they allow your body to heal faster from sicknesses and common illnesses like colds, flu and sinus infections.